Hi all
I am getting into ml for the first time and I'm looking for some advice on what I really need. I have made some significant decisions on what I will be using (with some help from lurking on this forums).
I will be getting a TC Impact (my son will be able to use it also with the adjustable stock), BH 209, Barnes TEZ 290 spitfires, and either Winchester or Federal 209 primers. I have also decided to use some of the medical tubes sold by Lane Whitman to store my loads. My plan is to use a scale to measure the powder by weight and store it in the tubes before loading (yes I am a little anal about things like weight). What other accesories are needed (short starters, palm savers, jag extensions, cappers, lube...)? It seems like there are a ton of things sold, I just don't want to buy stuff I don't need.
Hi all
I am getting into ml for the first time and I'm looking for some advice on what I really need. I have made some significant decisions on what I will be using (with some help from lurking on this forums).
I will be getting a TC Impact (my son will be able to use it also with the adjustable stock), BH 209, Barnes TEZ 290 spitfires, and either Winchester or Federal 209 primers. I have also decided to use some of the medical tubes sold by Lane Whitman to store my loads. My plan is to use a scale to measure the powder by weight and store it in the tubes before loading (yes I am a little anal about things like weight). What other accesories are needed (short starters, palm savers, jag extensions, cappers, lube...)? It seems like there are a ton of things sold, I just don't want to buy stuff I don't need.
Thanks in advance for the input!
Id recommend a Rang Rod for loading the ML when not Hunting, it saves on the Barrel. As for what's needed and what's not, Id get a Short Starter and a Brass Brush for cleaning the Barrel and mabey a Capper if one is needed.
For cleaning I usually use just good old Soap and Water (Dish detergent works well) a good quality Oil for the Bore after cleaning like (Montana Extreme Bore Conditioner)
Some Breech Plug Grease, a Cleaning Jag and you should be good to go!
__________________
Those who hammer their Guns into plows will plow for those who do not. Thomas Jefferson
I'm a newb and had my first range session yesterday (range report in this section). I have read a lot of posts that said you should only be using CCI 209M or Federal 209A with BH209 (for reliability's sake). I also read about the Spinjag loader and starter over at Chuckhawks.com. The principle behind them sounded solid, so I decided to stop by the owner's shop since they are made locally. Mr Gunn couldn't be a nicer guy, and I left with afformentioned items along with some great conversation in the memory bank.
Consider some T/C Cheapshots for sighting in purposes. How many loads do you plan on premeasuring???
__________________
"Well if it ain't loaded and c0cked, it don't shoot." -Rooster Cogburn
I strongly advise getting a palm saver. It's just a minor item but your palm will thank you. I think they come in pairs. If not, buy a spare. Once you use it I think you'll be lost without it and having a spare helps. Besides the Cheap Shot Thompson Center also makes a copper jacketed 230 grain hollow point sabot called the Sure Fire. Either one is very inexpensive and great for target practice and probably would be for hunting also.
Since you want to shoot BH209 you clean that rifle with solvent. Keep water away from it. Solvent to clean and if you have to swab, I used isopropyl alcohol to swab with. The bullets you mentioned should work real well. Although I would get a pack of 250 grain Shockwaves to break it in and get used to it. They are made to shoot out of the Impact.
Keep us posted on the rifle and how you like it..
__________________
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, a total wreck, screaming Yahoo, with a big smile on your face."
Thanks for the responses everyone. Yes, Cayagad I saw that as one of the advantages of the Blackhorn powder, I can use my regular solvents since I already have all the standard rifle cleaning supplies.
Am I on the right track to say I need the following items to get going:
Short starter
Lanes tubes (I ordered 20)
Aligner (either a Barnes or Spinjag) Thanks for the recommendation 7.62
Palmsaver
.50 cal brush and patch jag
nipple pick
breech lube
Can you explain the benefit of a range rod over the ramrod that comes with the rifle?
Anything I missed? Like I said, I will be using a powder scale to measure the loads and storing them in the tubes.
Please do not take this personally, but powders shot in a MZ are not meant to be measured by weight. They are meant to be measured by volume. And for good reason. I have not shot the BH 209, but in all other powders moisture plays a big role. And the weight is effected by moisture.
Lots of guys here like BH 209 and I am sure will chime in. I have heard BH-209 is not as hygroscopic as other MZ propellants.
A range rod is good because it is normally of higher quality than your ramrod. But they are not mandatory.
It sounds like you are trying to do it the right way. Albeit the most expensive way. You might just want to buy a pound or two of black powder and a couple hundred round balls and patches and just get use to the rifle without paying an arm and a leg for every shot. That would also help break in the rifle, along with acclimating you to BP shooting.
Sighting in and shooting a BP rifle is not as simple as picking up a model 700 Remington and a box of 30-06 ammo. Then going hunting after 5 or 6 sight in shots. But then you will soon find that out. It takes alot of time and practice and experimentation to get use to the rifle, and to sight it in. And those Barnes bullets are going to get real costly---REAL FAST. Tom.
__________________
West by God Virginia.
We need to stop using these terms today, "Sniper Rifle", "Tactical", "Assault Weapon".
Good Point Cayugad, and sorry I was'nt paying attention even though I knew he was gonna use BH209, yes the Water and Soap is a No No.
As for the Range Rod, the Aluminum Rod your ML comes with will eventually wear out the (Twist, Rifling) in your Barrel from the Aluminum comming in contac with it, the same with a Fiberglass one. A good Range Rod made of BRASS is a Excellant Choice for Target Shooting. So Yes you can do without a Range Rod, but if you do a-lot of Shooting and Value your Accuracy one is sure worth it.
(BP)
__________________
Those who hammer their Guns into plows will plow for those who do not. Thomas Jefferson
A range rod offers several advantages to the regular gun rod, at the range.
Breechplug made some suggestions about the different rods, IMO very seldom will any rod wear out your bore, well if you use the proper jag on the end of the rod, they will on the other hand get to your crown on the muzzle over time. I would highy suggest you get a crown/bore protector for any rod that you are using at the range. I usually do not worry about it hunting, as I only use the gun rod once or twice during the season.
I'll suggest this I have no idea if Lehigh Dave is set up to this or not, but right now he is making a super 'crown/protector'. It inserts down into the bore deeper than the normal cone shaped crown protector.
Might send him an email and ask if they are going to be available... Dave@lehighbullets.com
__________________
Keep on Shooting Muzzleloaders they are a Blast
hnole - The Spinjag starter doubles as a palm saver, and the Original Spinjag doubles as a loader and as a cleaning jag. I was cautioned by the owner that if you are using bullets where the tip sits at or below the sabot (like the T/C Cheapshots), the texturing on the Original Spinjag COULD conceivably grab the the sabot once seated and you are withdrawing the ramrod. And that would be bad. But a lot of loading jags have that texturing, so I'm not sure why his would be more prone to grabbing than any other, and I'm not sure that it is. Anyway, the Spinjag loader worked better for my purposes anyway, so there was no issue.
HEAD0001 - I agree with you that the Barnes bullets will add up quickly. But I think your post sounds a little intimidating. Not that you are trying to intimidate someone, but had I read your post before going shooting for the first time, I would have had the mindset that I was in way over my head, etc. Obviously since I have had all of ONE shooting session with a muzzleloader, your experience exceeds mine in every way. However, I had no problem sighting in my Omega yesterday, first with the irons and then again after the scope was mounted. It took a total of 31 shots to get it done with consistent groups of 1/2 MOA. And while it was not as simple as sighting in a centerfire rifle, I would feel completely comfortable marching into the woods tomorrow morning with it to take a deer or two, sans the two pounds of black powder and several hundred balls.
Maybe my experience is uncommon...who knows? I just don't want the OP to think he and his son aren't getting in the woods with their ML without putting a few hundred musket balls downrange.
__________________
"Well if it ain't loaded and c0cked, it don't shoot." -Rooster Cogburn
Please help a Newb... getting started in ML:D
). What other accesories are needed (short starters, palm savers, jag extensions, cappers, lube...)? It seems like there are a ton of things sold, I just don't want to buy stuff I don't need.
